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Now that Christmas is over (hope everyone had a joyous one) and the New Year is suddenly upon us (wishing you a great one), many of us are reflecting on “el Año Viejo” from a personal perspective (here’s hoping it was a good one for you).
Many others are capturing the old year with an eye on world events, politics, the economy, sports, entertainment, etc.
There will be many more of these “look-backs” but — with the exception of military-oriented sources — not too many will focus on what our military did in 2014.
Relying heavily on a couple such sources*, here is my look-back on what the men and women of the U.S. military accomplished in 2014.
Interestingly, most of the activities our troops were engaged in also happen to be what our nation was focused on in 2014: The battle against ISIL, the fight against Ebola, the drawdown in Afghanistan, the Russian annexation of Crimea and threats against Ukraine, the neutralization of Syria’s chemical materials stockpiles, responding to natural and other disasters at home and abroad — and more.
Below is my selection of a dozen or so images that I believe record best how our troops served in 2014, picked from among hundreds of compelling photos taken by our superb military photographers.
Afghanistan:
Still arriving in Afghanistan:
Soldiers with main body 5, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), prepare to take off from Manas Airfield Jan. 7. The soldiers flew from Manas Airfield to Bagram Air Field on the last leg of their trip from Fort Campbell.
Still fighting in Afghanistan:
The Big “Retrograde”:
U.S. Marine Cpls. Armondo Cortez, left, and Estevan D. Hernandeza discuss their plan for dismantling the command operation center during the retrograde of Patrol Base Boldak in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, Aug. 15, 2014.
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.
Leaving Afghanistan:
Marines and sailors with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan load onto a KC-130 aircraft on the Camp Bastion flightline, Oct. 27, 2014. The Marine Corps ended its mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the day prior and all Marines, sailors and service members from the United Kingdom withdrew from southwestern Afghanistan.
The Fight Against ISIL:
The armed conflict:
A U.S. fighter jet refuels from an Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker Aug. 21 over Northern Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Nickel)
The humanitarian “battle”:
Staff Sgt. Daniel Leavindofske, 8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron ramp team chief and Senior Airman David Babcock, air transportation journeyman, assist with loading bundles of halal meals on to a C-17 Globemaster III for a humanitarian airdrop mission over Iraq, Aug. 9, 2014.The humanitarian aid includes bottled water and food which was delivered to displaced citizens in the vicinity of Sinjar, Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria:
A helicopter approaches the U.S. ship MV Cape Ray to drop off cargo in the Mediterranean Sea, Aug. 4, 2014. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Desmond Parks
Operation Atlantic Resolve:
The U.S. continued to demonstrate its commitment to collective security of NATO allies and partner nations by participating in multinational training exercises as Russia illegally annexed Crimea and pro-Russian separatists took control of parts of Ukraine.
The fight against Ebola:
U.S. Marines and U.S. Public Health Service members return during Operation United Assistance at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia, Oct. 31, 2014. Operation United Assistance is a U.S. military operation providing command and control, logistics, training and engineering support to the U.S. government’s efforts to contain the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gustavo Gonzalez
Providing relief and support during natural and other disasters at home and abroad:
Malaysia Airlines Flight 370:
U.S. Navy personnel search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 from the windows of a P8-A Poseidon over the Indian Ocean, April 18, 2014 (U.S. navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Keith deVinney)
Mudslide in Oso, Washington:
Air National Guardsmen wade through mud and debris to search for survivors following the deadly mudslide in Oso, Wash., March 27, 2014. Washington National Guard photo by Army Spc. Matthew Sissel
Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Noel Larson and Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nick Gliem line up their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter for its next water drop to help fight wildfires near the Chiwaukum Creek and Carlton Complex fires outside Leavenworth, Wash., July 31, 2014 (credit anna). Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dave Goodhue
In 2014, our military also mourned their dead comrades…
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Tiffany Robinson, assigned to 449th Air Expeditionary Group, kneels in front of a battlefield cross following a Memorial Day ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 26, 2014. The cross was created with combat gear representing each of the five U.S. military branches in commemoration of fallen service members. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Dietrich)
While young American men and women continued to join the ranks…
While Americans continued to respect and treasure our World War II veterans…
A U.S. paratrooper presents flowers to Ellan Levitsky-Orkin served as a U.S. Army nurse in Normandy during World War II, at a ceremony honoring the service of U.S. Army nurses during World War II, in Bolleville, France, June 4, 2014. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sara Keller
…and honor our heroes (lead image): Former Army Sgt. Kyle J. White smiles as the audience applauds after President Barack Obama awarded him the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry during a ceremony at the White House, May 13, 2014.
All photos DOD
*Sources:
1. http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/1214_yir/?source=GovDelivery
2. http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/1214_yip/?source=GovDelivery
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.